Picket line at City and Islington College in Angel

THERE has been another week of school strikes with one on Wednesday and another set to go ahead today (Friday).

Schools across Islington shut their gates to pupils this week as teachers stood outside calling for better funding and a pay increase that matches their independent pay review body.

It is thought to be 6.5 per cent rise – although the government has refused to publish the figure and is yet to confirm when it will announce salaries for next year.

Earlier this week the new head of the National Education Union (NEU) warned the country to prepare for an autumn of strikes, as all four education unions ballot over further walkouts.

A number of pickets sprang up outside schools on Wednesday, including Pakeman Primary School in Holloway, City of London Academy Highbury Grove in Highbury and City and Islington College in Angel.

Beacon High in Holloway and Tufnell Park Primary School also had pickets.

Retired teacher Paul Holborow of Islington Solidarity, a campaign group for all striking workers, said: “What was really impressive was the demonstration in central London.

“That was full of young teachers who are very insistent on their pay claim and linked to the question of saving schools, you know, they are concerned about the services they’re offering the students as much as they are over pay.”

A DfE spokesperson called the strikes “hugely damaging” and argued they had “made a fair and reasonable pay offer to teachers”. The spokesperson said school funding would hit record levels next year.